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Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

Portability
68
Imaging
34
Features
40
Overall
36
Kodak EasyShare Z980 front
 
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS front
Portability
89
Imaging
39
Features
47
Overall
42

Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Key Specs

Kodak Z980
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 445g - 124 x 91 x 105mm
  • Introduced January 2009
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
  • 226g - 106 x 69 x 40mm
  • Released February 2012
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Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Kodak and Olympus. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the Z980 (12MP) and SZ-31MR iHS (16MP) but they enjoy the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The Z980 was launched 4 years earlier than the SZ-31MR iHS which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a brief summation of how the Z980 scores vs the SZ-31MR iHS in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Kodak Z980 over the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 Z980 SZ-31MR iHS 
Focus manually More exact focusing

Reasons to pick Olympus SZ-31MR iHS over the Kodak Z980

 SZ-31MR iHS Z980 
ReleasedFebruary 2012January 2009More modern by 37 months
Display resolution920k201kCrisper display (+719k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Kodak Z980 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS

 Z980 SZ-31MR iHS 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Kodak Z980 has outside measurements of 124mm x 91mm x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") accompanied by a weight of 445 grams (0.98 lbs) and the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS has specifications of 106mm x 69mm x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6") with a weight of 226 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the Z980 and the SZ-31MR iHS.

Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the Z980 and SZ-31MR iHS is 68 and 89 respectively.

Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS top view buttons comparison

Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by researching specifications. The image underneath might give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the Z980 and SZ-31MR iHS.

To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You should expect to see the Olympus SZ-31MR iHS to provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images far more aggressively. The more aged Z980 will be behind in sensor technology.

Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS sensor size comparison

Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and ViewFinder

Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Kodak Z980
Portrait photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
40
manual focus
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
34
good resolution (16MP)
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Kodak Z980 Street photography info
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Street photography info
54
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
64
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides touch to focus
lighter than average (226g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Kodak Z980
Sports photography with Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
33
excellent zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
44
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Kodak Z980 as a Travel photography camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Travel photography camera
51
built-in flash
quite wide (26mm)
great zoom (624mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
lighter than average (226g)
provides touch to focus
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (200 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Kodak Z980 Landscape photography highlights
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Landscape photography highlights
45
manual focus
quite wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse mode
41
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
terrible battery (200 shots)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Kodak Z980 as a Vlogging camera
Olympus SZ-31MR iHS as a Vlogging camera
23
quite wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic support
35
decently wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (226g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
no mic port
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Kodak Z980 vs Olympus SZ-31MR iHS Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Kodak Z980 and Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
 Kodak EasyShare Z980Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
General Information
Brand Name Kodak Olympus
Model type Kodak EasyShare Z980 Olympus SZ-31MR iHS
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2009-01-05 2012-02-08
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor - Dual TruePic V
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 64 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 25 -
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 26-624mm (24.0x) 25-600mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.0 f/3.0-6.9
Macro focusing distance 10cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 201 thousand dot 920 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - Hypercrystal III TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 16 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1700 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 9.30 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 445 grams (0.98 pounds) 226 grams (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 91 x 105mm (4.9" x 3.6" x 4.1") 106 x 69 x 40mm (4.2" x 2.7" x 1.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 200 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA LI-50B
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $249 $0